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SA Demands Israel Release Journalist

The government has summoned the Israeli ambassador to demand the release of a South African journalist held after a raid on a ship in Israel on Monday.

South Africa's deputy minister of international relations, Sue van der Merwe, summoned Israeli ambassador Dov Segev-Steinberg to register the government's "strongest possible protest" to the Israeli government, after an attack on the ship, the Mavi Marmara on Monday morning.

The ship was part of a flotilla of six ships with over 700 people on board, which was trying to deliver aid to the Gaza strip.

The Mavi Marmara was boarded after it refused to stop and be searched.

A South African journalist, Gadija Davids from Cape Town based radio station, Radio 786, was on board the ship and was apparently held by the Israeli Defence Force (IDF). She was not harmed in the attack.

Call for investigationSouth Africa demanded a full investigation into the incident, said Van der Merwe in a statement issued by the department.

"A full investigation into the matter which should be prompt, impartial, credible and transparent, as well as conforming to international standards," she said.

"The government also requests the immediate release of the ships, as well as civilians held by Israel, including one South African citizen and for Israel to allow the countries concerned to retrieve their deceased and wounded."